Obsolete tech that’s still hanging on

The long-maligned fax machine remains an essential part of document sharing, despite providing little that a scanner and computer can't do. It looks like a printer, acts like a scanner, and sounds a lot like a phone. The device took a literal beating in the 1999 comedy "Office Space." less

Fax machine

The long-maligned fax machine remains an essential part of document sharing, despite providing little that a scanner and computer can't do. It looks like a printer, acts like a scanner, and sounds

If you don't like moving around while talking on the phone, the landline is for you. These devices are proving to be an unneeded additional expense for people who primarily communicate via cell phones. But they're still everywhere. less

Corded landline phone

If you don't like moving around while talking on the phone, the landline is for you. These devices are proving to be an unneeded additional expense for people who primarily communicate

Also known as a flight recorder, the black box records pilot conversations and information about controls. This is obviously important information for people trying to understand why something went wrong with a given flight. Unfortunately, the physical box has to be located to read its reports. This is problematic when a plane cannot be located. less

Black box

Also known as a flight recorder, the black box records pilot conversations and information about controls. This is obviously important information for people trying to understand why something went

The remote control, because every part of your television needs to depend on a small battery-operated device that you'll repeatedly misplace in a seat cushion or under a piece of furniture. It maintains relevance, despite the best efforts by the universal remote control. less

Remote control

The remote control, because every part of your television needs to depend on a small battery-operated device that you'll repeatedly misplace in a seat cushion or under a piece of furniture. It

The answering machine is a necessary evil: A phone needs to do something to tell callers to hang up. After so many rings, the answering machines answers with an awkward message and an invitation to leave a voicemail. When that voicemail goes ignored, conversation shifts to text messaging or another call. less

Answering machine

The answering machine is a necessary evil: A phone needs to do something to tell callers to hang up. After so many rings, the answering machines answers with an awkward message and an

How often does the stock ticker scrolling across your screen actually help? If you're lucky, the answer is sometimes. But you're much more likely to end up seeing a stream of information irrelevant to your investing interests. It's much quicker to just look up your desired market information online. less

Stock ticker

How often does the stock ticker scrolling across your screen actually help? If you're lucky, the answer is sometimes. But you're much more likely to end up seeing a stream of information

No dollar is smooth enough for my office vending machine. I unfold corners, press out wrinkles, and try and try again to get that dollar accepted. No luck. This forces potential customers to switch to coins, which are also problematic. less

Dollar reader on vending machines

No dollar is smooth enough for my office vending machine. I unfold corners, press out wrinkles, and try and try again to get that dollar accepted. No luck. This forces

The coin-operated devices I've come across fall into three categories: the functional, the thief, and the confused. The functional devices are usually vending machines that won't accept my paper currency. The thieves don't seem to register that they just ate a coin. The confused coin-operated devices spit back the exact type of coin they wanted. With effort and patience, those guys can usually be convinced to take quarters. less

Coin-operated anything

The coin-operated devices I've come across fall into three categories: the functional, the thief, and the confused. The functional devices are usually vending machines that won't accept

Pay phones combine everything wrong with coin-operated devices with landline phones. They provide zero mobility and require coins. But pay phones aren't completely useless. They'e handy in a very strict set of circumstances: your cell phone battery is dead, you happen to have some change, and you know phone numbers off the top of your head. less

The traditional alarm clock is on its way out, being replaced by the alarms built into cell phones.

Alarm clock

The traditional alarm clock is on its way out, being replaced by the alarms built into cell phones.

Photo: istockphoto

Image 11 of 13

Wrist watches

Another victim of the cell phone, the wrist watch is more of a fashion accessory than an essential tool. Tech companies are trying to change this by bringing features associated with smartphones to new smartwatches. less

Wrist watches

Another victim of the cell phone, the wrist watch is more of a fashion accessory than an essential tool. Tech companies are trying to change this by bringing features associated with smartphones

Oh, the pager. A beeping little device that shares just enough information to alert users that they need to use a different device -- often a phone -- or head toward a certain location. It's still hanging on. less

Pager

Oh, the pager. A beeping little device that shares just enough information to alert users that they need to use a different device -- often a phone -- or head toward a certain location. It's still

Everyone has a few dinosaurs in their life. Maybe it’s the fax machine in the corner or the pager in your pocket. For whatever reason, these technologies have proven irreplaceable in the years and decades since their inventions.

We took a look at some out-of-date technologies that remain regularly used.